Promises. Some of them are worthless, some have infinite value, and some you will never know how much they are worth… until you have to cash them in.

STORIES

Birthday

Glynn witnesses a miracle... his daughter's birth.

Produced by Mark Ristich

The Spy’s Son

Bryan Denson was a court reporter for The Oregonian newspaper in Portland. It could be mind-numbing work sitting in the cheap seats of the American justice system. But then one day he got a tip about an espionage case coming in. The defendant was 24-year-old Nathan Nicholson. For Bryan it would turn out to be the story of a lifetime. For Nathan, it was the beginning of the end.

To learn more about Nathan’s story, make sure to grab a copy of Bryan Denson’s book: The Spy’s Son. You can check out his other work on his website. Bryan also wrote a six-part series of Nathan’s story for The Oregonian.

A big thanks to The Oregonian/OregonLive for allowing Snap Judgment to use tape from Bryan Denson’s interview with Nathan Nicholson.

Original score and sound design by Renzo Gorrio, produced by Nancy López, artwork by Teo Ducot

The Admission

Pia's Letter of Acceptance from NYU should have been the best news she heard all day -- but her mother's reaction changed everything.

See the film of Pia's amazing Snap Judgment LIVE in NYC performance. Reach out to Pia via Twitter @PiaGlenn / Insta: @Pia_Glenn

Original score composed by Alex Mandel. Performed by Alex Mandel, Tim Frick, and David Brandt.

Remember The Baby

This radio play is about one of those days that you have that changes you forever. It comes from our friends at The Truth Podcast, and it was commissioned by The Sarah Awards from Sarah Lawrence College.

It was written by Louis Kornfeld, and produced by Jonathan Mitchell. The part of ANN was played by Ann Carr, ADAM was played by Louis Kornfeld, and Amy Warren was the sister. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell

Snap Classic - Season 14 - Episode 43

This week on Snap, two stories about the human mind and how it can play tricks on you. A young man comes to terms with his mother’s profound mental illness. And a father of five and devout Mormon is dragged into a world that upends everything he knows to be true.

STORIES

“Tracy: My Ride-or-Die“

When Adult ISH host Nyge Turner turned 17, he became the caretaker for his ride-or-die: Tracy. His mom.

This story was produced by YR Media‘s Adult ISH podcast (Mom ISH episode). Adult ISH is a culture, advice, and storytelling show about #adulting, that is produced entirely by folks who are “almost adults.” It’s distributed by PRX’s Radiotopia. Be sure to subscribe and listen here.

Sound Designer: DJ Clay Xavier

“A Short Stay in Hell”

A father of five and devout Mormon is dragged into a world that upends everything he knows to be true.

This story comes to us from Believable, a new podcast from Narratively about how our stories define who we are. Each episode dives into a personal, eye-opening story where narratives conflict and different perspectives about the truth collide.

Steve Peck works at Brigham Young University and tells this story to a microbiology class every year. Check out his novel, “A Short Stay in Hell“ which inspired this story.

Listen and subscribe to Believable wherever you get your podcasts.

Producer: Ash Sanders

“Head Games” episode artwork: Teo Ducot

Season 14 - Episode 42 - Snap Classic

Your kids love her, your in-laws fear her, but you can't do Friday date night without QANanny. The ice is cracking on Lake Huron... will it break the bond between two ice fishermen? And Dr. Ray Christian gets stuck in the mud at Burning Man. This week on Snap, stories of people trying to escape a mess of their own making.

STORIES

My Beloved QANanny

Your kids love her, your in-laws fear her, but you can't do Friday date night without QANanny.

Thank you, Josh Healey, for sharing your story with Snap!

Produced by David Exumé, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff

No Ice Is Safe Ice

The ice is cracking on Lake Huron... will it break the bond between two ice fishermen?

Thank you Steve, Jeremy, and Telaine for sharing your story with us.

This episode was originally aired on Points North, podcast from Interlochen Public Radio. Go listen now for more stories about land, water, and inhabitants of the Great Lakes!

Produced by Dan Wanschura, original score by Clay Xavier, edited by Nancy Lopez and John Fecile

Mud Burn

Dr. Ray Christian gets stuck in the mud… at Burning Man.

Thanks, Ray, for telling us this tale. Go check out Ray’s podcast, What’s Ray Saying, for a deeper view into Black life in America and all things Ray.

Produced by John Fecile, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 14 - Episode 41

Some commitments go way beyond words.

STORIES

True Friends

Glynn discovers the true meaning of friendship.

The Belfast Project

It’s not always easy to deal with the past, especially if it’s a troubled one. Do you hold on to it or do you let it go? For Anthony McIntyre the answer was easy.

Anthony McIntyre is a journalist and you can check out his writings on his website: The Pensive Quill.

Thank you to Ed Moloney for sharing the archival tape of the Brendan Hughes interviews from the Belfast Project that were featured in his book, Voices from the Grave.

Sound design by Renzo Gorrio, Produced by Nancy Lopez

Love Me

Two best friends have never met in person ... and one of them insists they keep it that way.

That was Allison Williams, and that piece was produced by Mira Burt-Wintonick  and Cristal Duhaime for CBC's Love Me. You can hear more at cbc.ca/loveme or subscribe on iTunes.

13 Ways To Destroy A Painting

How far would you go to save the person you love? This radio play was adapted from Amber Sparks’s story, 13 Ways of Destroying a Painting, from her short story collection The Unfinished World. You can find more of her work at www.ambernoellesparks.com

Narrator: Thao Nguyen of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down

Sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller, produced by Eliza Smith

Season 14 - Episode 40

It’s Senior Year and Alex, Damaris, and Brantin have been waiting for the day they get to leave Mission High and enter adulthood. Snap follows the three students for a whole year as their dreams turn into reality.

Plus, we have life updates from the students about what they’re doing now.

A very special thank you to our heroes: Brantin, Damaris and Alex. Thank you also to Mission High School Principal Eric Guthertz, everyone in the Wellness Center and our guide Chandra Shivakumar.

Produced by Adizah Eghan, Liz Mak, Eliza Smith, Anna Sussman, and Mark Ristich

Original score by Pat Mesiti-Miller and Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 14 - Episode 39

Chris Lundy always wanted to figure out why his family took him to see a Vodou priest and how this treatment made him better. And a group paratroopers go on a trip with their Sergeant that’s out of this world.

STORIES

Magic Potion Vodou

Chris Lundy has always wanted to figure out why his family took him to see a Vodou priest and how this treatment made him better.

There is one explicit word in this story. Sensitive listeners, please be advised.

Big thanks to Chris Lundy for sharing your story! Chris is a storyteller who's performed at First Person Arts, RISK!, USA Today's Storytellers Project, and more.

Major thanks to WHYY's The Pulse, who originally aired this story. Their podcast features stories about people and places at the heart of health and science. Check it out!!

This story was produced and reported by Chris Lundy and Justin Kramon. It was edited by Maiken Scott and Lindsay Lazarski. Sound design by Maiken Scott. Engineering by Charlie Kaier. Special thanks to Dieu Nalio Chery for his help on the story.

Acid Jump

When morale was low among the paratroopers in his company, Sergeant Ray Christian takes them on a trip.

Thanks Ray for telling us your story! Check out Ray’s podcast, What’s Ray Saying, and follow him on Twitter.

Original score and sound design by Leon Morimoto, produced by Adizah Eghan

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 14 - Episode 38

There are some stories we are afraid to tell. Some truths only happen after dark. And some secrets can only be shared around the fire.

We proudly present, “Campfire Tales X.” An annual tradition featuring supernatural stories from our evil-twin podcast, Spooked.

STORIES

Smell Ya Later

After Laura’s husband gets a fatal diagnosis, he promises to contact her from beyond the grave. But how will she know it’s really him?

Original score by Leon Morimoto, produced by Anne Ford

Paper Route Premonition

Alyssa is taking over her friend’s paper route for the week. It’s a fun way to make a little money. There’s just this one house that’s freaking her out …

Original score by Yari Bundy, produced by Anne Ford

Stormwalker

When Roberta is a little girl, there’s nothing scarier than the thought of being caught out in a big storm. One day, her worst fear comes true … and then someone shows up

Original score by Yari Bundy, produced by Anne Ford

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 14 - Episode 37

Did you ever have that one friend that you didn’t want but it turns out you really need? This week on Snap, epic stories about unexpected companionship.

STORIES

Shut Up Rick

He’s called Shut Up Rick. Let’s hear what he has to say.

Thank you Bucky Sinister and Rick Loddy.

Bucky is a poet, author, and comedian — to learn more about Bucky’s work and what he’s up to now, subscribe to his substack.

Original score by Clay Xavier, produced by Zahra Noorbaksh and John Fecile

Rock Paper Scissors

When the two greatest auction houses in the world – Christie’s and Sotheby’s – vied for the privilege of auctioning off $20 million worth of art in 2004, little did they know that they would be forced to engage in an ancient form of ritualized combat known as… rock paper scissors.

Be sure to check out Carol Vogel’s original New York Times article.

Produced by Joe Rosenberg

The Kipling Hotel - LIVE

A young, penniless student arrives at UCLA with no place to stay and is forced to improvise.

Performed by Don Reed at Snap LIVE in San Francisco, CA.

Music composed by Alex Mandel, performed by the Snap Judgment Players: Alex Mandel, David Brandt, and Tim Frick

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 14 – Episode 36

A woman takes animal rehabilitation to new heights when she brings over a thousand bats back from the dead. And a Snap producer reveals he owes a lot to one single hairy flying creature. Snap Judgment presents, “Batwoman.” True stories about animals told by humans.

STORIES

Batwoman

A woman in Texas takes animal rehabilitation to new heights when she brings over a thousand bats back from the dead.

There is an explicit word in this story. Sensitive listeners, please be advised.

Thank you, Mary Warwick, for sharing your story with us!

Big thanks also to The Houston Humane Society, The TWRC Wildlife Center, and the Batworld Sanctuary in Texas – whose staff protect and rehabilitate bats, and provide education and training on the proper treatment of bats to people all over the US.

Original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, produced by Shaina Shealy

Bless the Bat

Snap Producer, John Fecile, tells us how he got where is he today.

Original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, produced by John Fecile

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 14 - Episode 35

Have you ever wanted something so badly you’d do anything to make it happen? Sixteen-year-old Mohamed decides to dig deep in his religion to take the next step with his crush. There’s no love like young love… especially when it’s a secret.

This story contains strong language, discusses sexuality, and mentions corporal punishment. Please take care while listening.

BIG thanks to Mohamed Ali for sharing his story with us! Mohamed is an artist and comedian, he just got back to Canada after spending the last few years working and performing in Southeast Asia. Check out his Instagram!

Special thanks to Zahra Noorbakhsh. Big thanks as well to Zaiba Hasan & her crew from the podcast Mommying While Muslim.

Produced by Regina Bediako, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot

Snap Music Spotlight: “Honest” by Jada Imani (produced by Dakim)

Jada Imani is an East St. Louis-born, Bay Area-raised Hip-Hop R&B artist and organizer. In addition to a whole bunch of great music, Jada recently launched a new product line called “Good For The Soul”. Be sure to check out her Patreon and follow her on social media!

This song comes to us from the compilation Water For The Town Vol. 4, a project series from SmartBomb created to raise mutual aid and awareness for various organizations and grassroots movements doing vital work right here in Oakland.

The song is produced by Dakim, be sure to check out more of Dakim’s music and follow them on Instagram!

Snap Classic - Season 14 - Episode 34